Proposed Franklin development causes stir

Monday

Apr 14, 2014 at 12:39 AM

By Matt TotaDaily News Staff

FRANKLIN — Several Old West Central Street residents are attempting to stymie a proposed commercial development along Rte. 140 that would include a Starbucks with a drive-thru lane.The development, proposed at 648 Old West Central St., has raised fears among neighborhood residents of increased traffic. Some have also questioned the need for another coffee shop in that area, which includes the Franklin Village Shopping Center directly across from the site.However, the Planning Board’s vice chairman has expressed early support of the proposal even as he hopes to work with the developer on adjustments to the site plan that would appease neighbors.Franklin Retail LLC, the developer, appeared before the board for the first time last month seeking site plan approval and two special permits. The principal owner, Gregg Lisciotti, also presides over Lisciotti Development Corp., a large real estate development company based in Leominster.In its site plan application, Franklin Retail says it wants to consolidate three parcels on Old West Central Street — razing a dilapidated two-story home and a garage at the site — and redraw the lot lines to end up with a 43,000 square-foot property.Four businesses, anchored by a Starbucks, would operate out of a nearly 9,000-square-foot building on the new property. The developer has proposed 50 parking spaces, with entrances on Rte. 140 and Old West Central.In addition to the Starbucks with a drive-thru lane for up to 11 vehicles, the other tenants would include a walk-in medical clinic, a retail business and a fast-casual restaurant, likely Noodles & Company.Last year, the Town Council voted to rezone about 2 acres of land along Old West Central Street to allow for commercial use; the change won the support of both the Economic Development Committee and the Planning Board.Lisciotti said he was the only bidder for the parcels at 648 Old West Central St. He told the Planning Board last month that he has already pared down the project considerably.But neighbors have their concerns.Old West Central Street resident Anne Jordan described Franklin Retail’s plan as "too busy for the site" and unnecessary given other businesses nearby."There are seven coffee options for us to have our morning coffee," Jordan said at the meeting. "We have Dunkin Donuts, Honey Dew, Elizabeth’s Bagels; both of the gas stations serve coffee. Seven of them. Panera — you can sit down, use your Wi-Fi and talk to the world."According to a traffic study commissioned by Franklin Retail, the development would have little to no impact on traffic at the intersection of Old West Central Street and Rte. 140. But the company noted that, historically, back-ups occur in the left-turn lane onto West Central Street, and it has asked the state Department of Transportation to adjust the lights there.In any case, Planning Board Chairman Anthony Padula has ordered an independent traffic study. The public hearing for the project scheduled for April 7 was continued to a later date to give the developer more times to address the town’s gripes with the design scheme.At the March meeting, though, vice chairman Joseph Halligan appeared impressed with the proposal, and he requested specific details about the second restaurant and the traffic it might bring."I think it is a busy site and what you have here is great," he said.Halligan said he understood residents’ worries about speeding and traffic, but said those are existing issues."This project is not even built yet and you’re having these problems," he said.Matt Tota can be reached at 508-634-7521 or mtota@wickedlocal.com.